For many patients in North Carolina, the thought of going to the operating table with an inexperienced or under-trained surgeon may seem like a recipe for disaster. One orthopedic surgeon agrees, and he is working with the manufacturers of medical devices to create virtual training systems that can enhance surgeons' knowledge of innovative devices. By improving surgeons' level of training, the software can also help to widen the adoption of newer precision technologies in hospitals that had previously lagged behind.
Woman killed in Southwest Airlines incident
North Carolina residents may have heard about the plane catastrophe that involved a Southwest Airlines flight from New York to Dallas. The incident happened on April 17.
Hospitalists show potential to reduce obstetric malpractice
Hospitals in North Carolina that partner with hospitalist groups often increase their response time when patients require immediate care. Hospitalists are physicians that work exclusively within hospitals, often under contract through third-party hospitalist groups. Those who practice as obstetricians are available to treat women experiencing labor and delivery complications. They are on duty as opposed to on call, which means that women receive care in emergency situations faster than if an obstetric hospitalist had not been available.
Study finds software can reduce radiology reporting errors
North Carolina patients who need to have medical imaging done using ultrasound or dual-energy X-ray radiology might be less likely to suffer as a result of errors in recording data if software designed to prevent errors comes into wide use. On March 20, the Journal of the American College of Radiology published the results of researchers' findings into mistakes and the technology that may help.
